Join our network and attract real clients!
5 min read
5 min read
Advice for contractorHow to Structure a Functional and Efficient Construction Committee
In early 2023, new regulations regarding construction site-related affairs came into effect. Among these new rules, one specifically highlights workers' accountability, or more precisely, their active involvement in improving worksite health and safety. In fact, when a worksite is to welcome over 20 labourers simultaneously, at one point or another, the principal contractor must, on top of putting together a prevention plan, form a construction committee as soon as work is set to begin.
Why is such a committee necessary, and how can you ensure it’s properly structured?
Source: Canva
The committee is established at the beginning of worksite operations and must remain active to the very end of the construction project.
The reasons for requiring employees to meet on a regular basis are as follows:
Ensuring the terms of the prevention program and safety standards are met.
Making certain that on-site employer workflows are implemented and operational.
Receiving worksite health and safety feedback (complaints and suggestions).
Reviewing accident reports and submitting recommendations.
Examining inspection reports.
Keeping a record of meeting minutes.
Source: Canva
First off, the principal contractor, meaning the person responsible for ensuring work is being done according to schedule during a construction project, must put together the committee. To fill vacant seats, a notice should be issued to all employees and employers. If there’s an workers’ association, the principal contractor must ensure the workers name a representative.
The Safety Code, as part of the Building Act, lists regulations to follow in terms of structuring a committee:
Assign a general contractor or owner representative
Assign representative(s) for every employer (manager, superintendent, foreperson)
Assign representative(s) for each of the present workers’ associations
Assign health and safety representative(s)
Assign a health and safety coordinator/officer
Besides the general makeup of the committee listed above, equality is another important factor to consider. As such, there must be just as many employer representatives as there are employee representatives. If a construction worksite has more employers present than the maximum amount of representatives allowed by the committee, those who will sit on the board are the ones employing the most labourers.
If numerous health and safety coordinators and representatives are elected, due to a high number of active workers, they must all attend committee reunions. Again, if the number of representatives exceeds that of available board seats, the represented associations will have to decide together on which members will attend reunions.
Title holders must have a construction site safety officer certificate or a course certificate as a health and safety coordinator, issued by the CNESST, which is a minimum of 240 hours of training.
The appointed health and safety coordinator handles all committee affairs. The individual in question holds a full-time managerial position on the construction worksite, under the direct supervision of the principal contractor.
Here’s a more detailed list of their tasks:
Inspect the work site and identify potential sources of hazards
Help design and update the prevention program
Ensure workers are aware of risks and the best trade-specific work practices
Investigate past or hypothetical incidents or causes of accidents
Accompany the inspector during visits
Put together the agenda or schedule for construction committee meetings (however, all committee members can suggest changes)
Write up the minutes and keep a record of all worksite health and safety-related elements (must be kept for a month after the project has wrapped)
Note that the coordinator can share this list of tasks with the principal contractor.
Source: Canva
The employer and principal contractor are responsible for putting together meeting details and schedules. Typically, meetings are held during regular work hours and account for hours worked. Note that the person in charge will have a maximum of 14 days after the project has begun to set the very first meeting.
Afterwards, the frequency at which the meetings will be held is determined based on the number of labourers present on the worksite. Under 100, the committee must meet every fortnight. Over 100, they’ll have to plan a weekly meeting.
During the first meeting, if one or more members are first-time members of such a group, it may be useful to provide information regarding their specific role within the committee and the purpose of a construction committee.
Prior to meetings, all committee members should receive the agenda to incite participation, as they’ll be able to prepare ahead of time and focus on the matters to be discussed. It goes without saying that a structured plan and comprehensive documents, maybe with annotations, will make the whole process more efficient.
A structured agenda should, at the very least, feature the following elements:
Follow-up on, and monitor, already discussed matters, if needed
Suggestions from worksite labourers and active committee members
Incident statistics, investigations, and analyses
In-house or outsourced reports of the latest inspections
Pinpoint upcoming risks as the worksite is furthering along and changing (new tradespersons involved, new chemical products used, etc.)
Changes made to the prevention program to reflect decisions made
Naturally, other topics of discussion are tailored to the context and priorities.
As of January 1st, 2024, the Regulation respecting prevention programs on construction worksites will mandate that all active members of a construction committee obtain a certificate of training given by the CNESST. This training course, which lasts about an hour, is offered free of charge. Members are entitled to take a leave from work to complete this training, and to do so without a pay cut. Recently, CNESST has also introduced similar online training in collaboration with TÉLUQ University.
The topics covered include:
Act respecting occupational health and safety on construction worksites
Construction worksite-specific prevention and participation program
Construction committee regulations and functions
Designing and implementing a construction site prevention program
Those who already hold a certificate of training as a health and safety coordinator or representative are exempt from this step.
Source: Canva
How does it work in neighbouring provinces or territories? For instance, it’s the same concept in Ontario and in Newfoundland and Labrador but is known as Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSC).
Just as it is in Quebec, the committee is shaped by individuals who both represent employers and employees, with the purpose of improving health and safety conditions, including risk assessment. This consultative organizational approach is an integral part of workers’ rights: the right to know, participate, and refuse to undertake unsafe work.
The requirements for such a committee are based on the number of active workers on a worksite:
1 to 5 = no obligations
6 to 19 = 1 health and safety officer. JHSC is mandatory if there are regulations pertaining to designated substances
20 to 49 = JHSC of at least 2 members
50+ = JHSC of at least 4 members
A committee member is required to inspect the worksite at least once a month. The overall functionings are very much like the ones detailed in this article regarding safety protocols mandated in Quebec.
I am a woman, hear me roar! If you’re looking for a position in the construction industry, check out our article Training Programs for Women in Construction to get started!
Curious about everything that relates to construction site health and safety? Here are a few other articles that might be of interest:
RenoQuotes.com can help you get new contracts. We get new project proposals from clients seeking top-rated and trustworthy renovation professionals like yourself. To get started, simply fill in the form on our homepage (it only takes a few minutes) and receive information regarding potential clients by way of our services.
Last modified 2023-11-07
The latest industry news, interviews, technologies, and resources.
Amanda Harvey • 07 Nov 2023
For an entrepreneur, receiving a large number of requests for various projects bodes well for business. However, your phone ringing off the hook shouldn't be enough to reassure you.
Cynthia Pigeon • 07 Nov 2023
Mould found in homes is a common concern amongst many homeowners because of the extensive damage it can cause.
Karine Dutemple • 07 Nov 2023
Like many of us, you've probably spent a lot of time relaxing in your living room. Comfortably seated on your couch, you may be unhappy with what you are seeing when you look around the room. You are then hit with the sudden need to find new ideas to redecorate this much-loved relaxation spot.
RenoQuotes.com • 07 Nov 2023
Anyone who lives in an environment that doesn't suit their needs when it comes to mobility or comfort will be subject to a great deal of frustration. To ensure a comfortable and pleasant living environment for an individual with reduced mobility, here's a look at the renovations to take on.
RenoQuotes.com • 07 Nov 2023
Your kitchen floor comes up against all kinds of dirt, grime and wear and tear from heavy feet, falling pots and pans as well as spills from burning liquids. Thus, your kitchen floor must be tough enough to withstand all the various things that get thrown its way, while still looking stylish and blending in with the overall decor of your home.